Army is the only Pak institution that can settle Kashmir problem with India: Altaf Hussain 
An exclusive e-mail interview to Prionka Jha

ZEE NEWS

Q1. Do you think that Musharraf has the legitimacy to hold talks with India?

Ans. It would be better if these talks could have had taken place between two elected prime ministers or the presidents of both the countries. In India, Army has never interfered in the affairs of the elected governments since 1947 and never imposed martial law. Whereas in Pakistan, it has been a common practice that the Army interferes and intervenes covertly or overtly in the affairs of the elected governments and impose martial laws. Since the birth of Pakistan, Army has directly ruled for 25 years and indirectly for the remaining 28 years. No matter whether General Pervez Musharraf`s government is legitimate or illegitimate but it is also a common knowledge that the Army is the only institution in Pakistan, which can settle the matter of Kashmir with India. Otherwise, if this summit could have taken place with the elected Government of Pakistan then the Army would have never accepted the decision made in the summit by the elected Governments of both the countries.


Q 2. Do you think the Indo-Pakistan Summit at Agra will be successful?

Ans: I am not optimistic that very long pending and complex matters would be solved in short time but I pray for the best.

Q 3: Can the current Pakistani authorities be trusted when it comes to questions of war and peace?

Ans: I do not hold the powers and authorities in my hands. If I would have, then certainly I would have used all my efforts to establish friendly relationship with India and other neighbouring countries and I would also try to make "No-War Pact" with India and other neighbouring countries. As far as Pakistani Authorities are concerned, I do not know that after fighting three big wars with India and the Siachen and Kargil Wars, whether they have learnt any lessons from these wars, even after loosing one part (i.e. former East Pakistan). One should remember that almost all these wars had taken place during the regimes of army dictators.


Q 4: Will MQM treat any agreement coming up from this summit as binding?

Ans: If it would be according to the policies of the MQM and according to the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, particularly the people of Kashmir.

Q 5: What are you opinions about General Musharraf and Mr Vajpayee?

Ans: Mr Vajpayee is an elected prime minister of the largest democratic country of the world, whereas General Musharraf is not an elected President of Pakistan.

Q 6: What issues should be taken up?

Ans: All those issues, which are the root cause of conflicts and wars.


Q 7: Would you like to visit India?

Ans: Yes, of course, why not. When General Parvez Musharraf, a Military General and others can visit India, why would I not?

Q 8: What would be your initiative to bring peace to the Subcontinent?

Ans: I do not have any illusions, however, if the people of Pakistan and the United Nations unanimously assign me being the Founder and Leader of one of the largest political party of Pakistan, I am confident that I will use all my abilities and initiatives for the settlement of all the issues through honourable, meaningful and sincere negotiations.

Q 9: Do you think Musharraf can be trusted in his promise to restore democracy in Pakistan?

Ans: God knows better.


Q 10: What are the two biggest internal enemies of Pakistan according to you today?

Ans: In my opinion the policy makers of the military and civil establishments and the feudal oligarchy.